This blog contains my thoughts on many subjects, but much of it will be about depression and how I deal with it. I am also passionate about patient participation and patient access, these will feature on my blog too. You are welcome to comment if you want; however, all comments will be moderated. I register my right to be recognized as the author of this blog, so I expect proper attribution by anyone who wishes to quote from it; after all plagiarism is theft.

Monday, 10 November 2008

Just In Case You Wondered

Yes, I have been a bit quiet about the Shetland lace shawl for the last few days, and there is a very good reason for that. I have started it, and had to unpick it again, seven times so far. The best that I have managed so far is to cast on the required stitches, complete the four rows of garter stitch and then complete 14 rows of the 20-row repeat that forms the 'rosebud' pattern at the centre of the shawl. My best attempt came to grief about half way through row 15 of the pattern when I made a mistake and then while attempting to correct it managed to drop some stitches that were impossible to pick up again.

It's not that I am a bad knitter; I rarely, if ever, drop stitches normally. The problem that I am having here is caused by the fineness of the wool that I am using. I know that they say that a bad workman blames his tools, but in this case it really is the yarn at fault. I am starting to get used to it now, and I am working on my eighth attempt at the moment. I have just completed row 14 of the 'rosebud' pattern and will shortly be entering new territory. I am determined that this time I will not make a mistake and I will be a little more careful if I have to unpick anything to try to ensure that I don't drop stitches.

The fact that I had so many problems with the shawl meant that my other knitting, instead of being a stand-by, became the main thing that I was working on. The result of this is that I now have a new jumper and a cardigan, both in the same yarn. The cardigan is the garment that I got for free because the yarn was so economical.

So, I will sit down with the pattern, I shall take up the knitting, and I will start row 15 in the hopes that this will be the last time that I have to start on the shawl and that I can get to work on it every evening so that it grows at a good rate. If I'm having this much trouble with the centre of the shawl, I hate to think what will happen when I get to the lacy borders. It might just turn out to be my biggest nightmare ever. We'll have to wait and see what happens.

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About Me

An OU graduate who has become hooked on studying and who tries her hand at various hobbies in order to make sure she has as little time as possible to worry about being depressed.
I can be contacted at Madsadgirl@gmail.com